Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door

Install, repair, and maintain mechanical regulating and controlling devices, such as electric meters, gas regulators, thermostats, safety and flow valves, and other mechanical governors.

The occupation "Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door" has an automation risk of 30.0%, which reflects a moderate likelihood of automation. The base risk is calculated at 30.5%, showing that while some aspects of the job may be susceptible to automation, significant portions still rely on human skills and adaptability. The moderate risk level is largely due to the mixture of both routine and hands-on mechanical maintenance work involved. Automation technologies are advanced enough to replicate certain tasks, particularly those requiring repetition and precision, but face challenges when confronted with unpredictable or non-standard tasks. This means that while some duties in this role can be automated, a substantial part of the job retains a need for human expertise. Among the most automatable tasks in this occupation are recording maintenance information, disassembling and repairing mechanical control devices or valves, and lubricating mechanical parts. These activities involve well-defined processes and routine actions that are conducive to automation. For instance, digital logging systems and automated maintenance reporting can handle information recording efficiently, while robotic systems are increasingly competent in mechanical disassembly and precise lubrication. The standardization and predictability of these tasks make them ideal candidates for automation, especially in controlled environments where safety and consistency are paramount. Conversely, the least automatable or most resistant tasks include connecting complex test apparatus, cleaning valve and meter housings, and advising customers on installations. These tasks require nuanced judgment, dexterity, or interactive communication that current automation technologies struggle to replicate. Connecting hoses and raising prover bells, for example, demand careful coordination and assessment skills, while cleaning may require adaptation to varying levels of debris and surface conditions. Advising customers involves a degree of interpersonal communication and real-time problem-solving, making it highly resistant to automation. The key bottleneck skill for this role is originality, but its measured impact on automation resistance is minimal (2.9% and 2.8%), reinforcing that while creative problem-solving is required, the occupation’s moderate risk level is mostly attributed to the balance between automatable routine tasks and hands-on, judgment-heavy duties.